This weekend will feature the return of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to their rightful home. It will also include a great comedian, a one-man show from a favorite theater actor, a new local theater production, a new art exhibition, the return of the PBR to Fort Worth, and a visit from a famous actor and his band.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend.
Thursday, August 26
Improv Arlington presents Mark Normand
Through his relentlessly punchy writing and expert delivery, Mark Normand is quickly becoming one of the most talked about comedians on the scene. He most recently self-released a one-hour special, Out To Lunch, on YouTube. A veteran of the late night shows, Normand also has his own podcast, Tuesdays with Stories. He'll perform five times through Saturday at Improv Arlington.
Friday, August 27
Magnolia at the Modern: Without Getting Killed or Caught
Without Getting Killed or Caught is the true story of Guy Clark, the dean of Texas songwriters, who struggles to write poetic, yet indelible songs while balancing a complicated marriage with wife Susanna, and a deep friendship with singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt, on whom Susanna forged a passionate dependence. Narrated by Academy-Award winner Sissy Spacek, the film follows Guy, Susanna, and Townes on their journey from obscurity to reverence. The film will screen five times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Final Fantasy VII Remake Orchestra
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will present the Final Fantasy VII Remake Orchestra as part of their world tour. This is a new concert based entirely on the groundbreaking game from Square Enix that was released in 2020. The concert will feature all-new symphonic arrangements, including the Final Fantasy VII Remake theme song, "Hollow," the latest original composition from Nobuo Uematsu, performed by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and chorus, and led by Grammy Award-winning conductor Arnie Roth. There will be performances on both Friday and Saturday at Bass Performance Hall.
Downtown Cowtown at the Isis presents Jaston Williams: Clear to Partly Crazy
Jaston Williams will present his one-man show Clear to Partly Crazy, where he holds forth on subjects all Texans understand; cheerleading, tornadoes and certifiably insane blood relatives. Audiences will travel with him from grandstands to storm cellars to the occasional mental institution, laughing all the way. The show, which contains mature content, will take place on both Friday and Saturday at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis.
Hip Pocket Theatre presents Walking On Wire (Stories from the Feet)
Hip Pocket Theatre’s 45th season continues with the world premiere of Walking on Wire: Stories from the Feet, directed by Lorca Simons and Lake Simons. In a production devised by the ensemble, sisters Lorca and Lake bring to the stage a spirited group of Texas creatives. Through the magic of collaboration and improvisation, the ensemble presents an inventive and poetic series of stories through the use of visually striking imagery. The action invites the audience to consider, as Gabrielle Roth has profoundly asked, “What will we find on the other side of all that we know?” The production will run through September 5.
Saturday, August 28
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "Thomas Moran’s Mount Superior"
Carter visitors can be among the first to see Mount Superior, a major new acquisition by 19th-century landscape painter Thomas Moran. Featuring a long-lost watercolor by the acclaimed landscape artist, "Thomas Moran’s Mount Superior" explores divergent depictions of the American landscape through photography, works on paper, and popular culture ephemera from the period. Drawn from the museum’s deep holdings of works on paper and photography, this exhibition recounts a story that only the Carter’s collection can tell. It will remain on display through December 12.
National Theatre Live: Cyrano
James McAvoy stars in this inventive adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, screening at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Fierce with a pen and notorious in combat, Cyrano almost has it all — if only he could win the heart of his true love, Roxane. There’s just one big problem: He has a nose as huge as his heart. Will a society engulfed by narcissism get the better of Cyrano, or can his mastery of language set Roxane’s world alight? Presented by Amphibian Stage, this is a screening of a previously recorded live production; it is not a live performance.
PBR Fort Worth Invitational
For the second time in as many years, PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) elite Unleash The Beast will buck into Dickies Arena for the PBR Fort Worth Invitational. The bull riding action begins with Round 1 on Saturday, concluding with Round 2 and the championship round on Sunday. All 30 bull riders will get on one bull each in Round 1 and 2. Following Round 2 on Sunday afternoon, the riders’ individual two-round scores will be totaled with the Top 12 advancing to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title.
Sunday, August 29
Tarrant Regional Water District presents Sunday Funday
The laidback family-friendly series Sunday Funday will have its second-to-last event at Panther Island Pavilion, featuring tubes and pedal boats available for rent along with kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes from Backwoods Paddlesports. Cold beer and loaner ice chests are also available. There will also be a morning yoga class, food trucks, and fun in and along the Trinity River.
Kevin Costner & Modern West in concert
Kevin Costner is a two-time Academy Award winner, but like a growing number of actors, he's always harbored dreams of being a rock star. Since 2008, he's been pursuing that life, recording five albums with his band, Modern West, including 2020's Tales from Yellowstone, an ode to Costner's continuing TV show on Paramount Network (which is now getting a star-studded prequel being filmed in Fort Worth). The band will play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Kevin Costner & Modern West will play at Billy Bob's Texas on August 29.
